Ayurveda & Women’s Health

As women age, in addition to becoming wiser and more mature, they also encounter an increasing number of health problems. Pre and post-menopausal symptoms, stress, weight gain, insomnia, and weakened immunity are a few of the physiological and psychological issues that women may face. Ayurveda, an Indian traditional medicinal system, can offer holistic solutions to alleviate symptoms and to address these issues at their root cause.

According to Ayurvedic philosophy, the body experiences illness when the three Doshas (Vata, Pitta, or Kapha), or bodily energies, are out of balance. Restoring balance returns the body to its original healthy state. In order to restore this balance, the body must rid itself of all toxins and boost immunity.

The term immunity describes a state of having sufficient biological defense to avoid infection and disease. In Ayurveda immunity is related to Ojas. The quintessence of all the tissues of the body is known as Ojas, our vital energy, which is the main determinant of our immune status. According to Ayurveda, immunity (Ojas) is either Sahaja (natural) or YuktiKruta (acquired). It is possible to improve our acquired immunity through suitable diet, yoga, detox and rejuvenation therapy (Panchkarma) and the use of herbs/supplements.

Panchkarm, a combination of therapeutic herbal oil massages i.e. Abhayanga, Swedhana (Steam Bath), Dhara, Shirodhara, Nasyam, Kizhi and Verechana, deals mainly with removal of toxins and waste materials from the body to purify the system from gross channels to eradicate the diseases. The treatments are personalized according to each individual’s body constitution (Doshas).

The Ayurvedic understanding of the cycle of Doshas through the lifespan is particularly important to issues of women’s health. From fetus through young adulthood, the time of normal body growth, Kapha dominates. Pitta dominates from adolescence to early 30s. It is highest in the middle years. When driven by Pitta emotions, women typically are concerned with carrier advances and the risk is high for many Pitta disorders such as high blood pressure, elcers, and hyperthyroid, etc. It is also a high-risk time for many female disorders. Vata begins to exert considerable influence during a person’s 60s and by the 70s it is the dominant Dosha, creating dryness of tissues and decreased bone density. This transition from the Pitta to Vata stage of life is relatively smoother in men.

It would be unnatural to try to halt the continual process of change that manifests both internally and externally. Thus, Ayurveda teaches the art of keeping one’s boat afloat amid waves. Women, whose lives are so governed by the menstrual cycle, can benefit enormously through practicing Ayurveda.

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